Mali military chief Gen Assimi Goita gained support from political friends to remain president for five more years. The 41-year-old leader promised elections after his 2021 takeover but changed his mind. Major opposition groups skipped a national meeting where people voted for Goita to lead until 2030. He has not spoken about the decision, which seems meant to keep him in charge.
Opposition leader Mohamed Salia Toure told reporters that ending multiple political parties would hurt the country. Amnesty International is worried about possible plans to ban political groups. The military government wants to delay all elections until peace comes to Mali. Goita has worked with leaders from Burkina Faso and Niger to make friends with Russia instead of France.
Goita first took power in August 2020 after people protested against President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita. He let civilians run things briefly but grabbed control again in May 2021. Mali left the regional group ECOWAS because it wanted elections. Goita started as a colonel but became a five-star general last year.
Opposition leader Mohamed Salia Toure told reporters that ending multiple political parties would hurt the country. Amnesty International is worried about possible plans to ban political groups. The military government wants to delay all elections until peace comes to Mali. Goita has worked with leaders from Burkina Faso and Niger to make friends with Russia instead of France.
Goita first took power in August 2020 after people protested against President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita. He let civilians run things briefly but grabbed control again in May 2021. Mali left the regional group ECOWAS because it wanted elections. Goita started as a colonel but became a five-star general last year.
